Smethwick
West Midlands
Slow Ways linking Smethwick and Birmingham, Great Barr, Oldbury (Sandwell), Rowley Regis, West Bromwich
Progress towards triple-checked route options for Smethwick’s five Slow Ways: 70%
Help connect Smethwick
Many Slow Ways have several route options. Some will be better than others, or good for different reasons.
Our goal is for each Slow Way to have at least one route that is verified and surveyed. To be verified – and get its snail badge – a route needs at least three positive reviews.
Give a hike and help get a for every one of Smethwick’s Slow Ways.
Walk to Smethwick from further afield
Slow Way | Route | To do | ||||||||
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Oldbury (Sandwell)—Smethwick
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Oldsme one |
|
U U |
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Survey me | Distance 4km/3mi | Ascent 50m | Descent 52m | ||
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Rowley Regis—Smethwick
|
Rowsme one |
|
U U |
|
Review me | Distance 5km/3mi | Ascent 69m | Descent 50m | ||
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Smethwick—Birmingham
|
Smebir one |
|
U U |
|
Survey me | Distance 7km/4mi | Ascent 76m | Descent 46m | ||
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Smethwick—Great Barr
|
Smegre one |
|
U U |
|
Review me | Distance 8km/5mi | Ascent 88m | Descent 93m | ||
West Bromwich—Smethwick
|
Wessme one |
|
U U |
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Pioneer me | Distance 5km/3mi | Ascent 55m | Descent 65m | ||
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West Bromwich—Smethwick
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Wessme two |
|
1 Y |
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Enjoy me | Distance 3km/2mi | Ascent - | Descent - |
Collective progress
63% of Smethwick’s routes are drawn, reviewed, surveyed and/or verified
6/6
5/6
1/6
3/6
8 people have contributed to Smethwick’s Slow Ways
1 people have pledged to walk and review a route
1 people have surveyed a route in Smethwick
28km out of 33km have been walked and reviewed
85km of reviews have been shared in Smethwick
Latest Updates
Completed this walk today from Smethwick heading east into Brum. The trickiest part of the whole walk has to be the footbridge at Smethwick as it is steps only and has no wheeled access....
Steve Litchfield
Although this route is very much in the heart of the Black Country, it was a delightful walk along the canal that was for the most part very quiet. Previous reviewers noted the temporary closure of the footpath between Spon Lane and Steward Aqueduct; as of mid-September it’s still closed, and shows no indications of reopening any time soon. The diversion along the older (pre-Telford) canal was however very easy to follow, and did not detract from an enjoyable afternoon....
swebbews
We started this walk from The Mailbox in Birmingham, so it was entirely along the canal towpath apart from the very last part into Smethwick. It seems unbelievable to be so close to the centre of Britain’s second city while enjoying so much peace and quiet and seeing ducks, geese, moorhens and herons. There is so much to like about this walk....
swebbews
The tow path was temporarily closed between Steward Aqueduct and Spon Lane due to a crumbling wall, but you can easily rejoin the path at Spon Lane....
Saira
It's a beautiful, interesting route that follows the Birmingham canal all the way to Smethwick!...
Saira
Having left the High Street via the footbridge across the main road you wander through the residential streets of north Smethwick which become increasingly industrial before, within sight of the West Brom Ground (the highest above sea level in England) you turn left to join the greenway that runs alongside the Metro (tram) line. (I have walked this path dozens of times and this was the first time it had flooded) The final section through suburban Great Barr avoids the main road for as long as possible....
David Sanderson
The walk out of Oldbury is fairly functional along the main road but having the passed Sandwell and Dudley Railway Station (direct trains to Edinburgh and London, not just local stations) you walk down the side of the car park and follow a track to the towpath of the main branch of the Birmingham Canal. In 4km, 3 of which are offroad, you access bus routes, 3 railway stations (Galton Bridge is accessible via steps from the canal and Rolfe Street is at the end of the route), wildlife, industrial history (Galton Valley Pumping Station) and it's one of the easiest Slow Ways I've ever had to follow!...
David Sanderson
I can't add anything to the reviews above by Pddys and David - a really good Slow Ways route. Thoroughly enjoyed walking it...
Dave4
Just over half way through, you cross Barnford Hill Park which was a particular highlight for me. The route is across the park is not -the- most direct, but it gave me more opportunity to enjoy it and it was very easy to follow. Saying that, technically one of the next roads, the M5 was the busiest to cross, but to do that all I had to do was follow pavement of the B4169 Oakemoor Road which passes high over it....
David Sanderson
This includes going underneath the M5 and the Spon Lane junction, underneath Smethwick Galton Bridge, through the Summit tunnel, underneath the Summit Bridge, and past the Galton Valley Pumping Station, and some Ironworks bridges....
pddys
The route takes you to the canal via Newhall Street and the edge of the Jewellery Quarter. I had wondered whether it could have been better to seek a more direct route to the canal, maybe via Gas Street Basin but I realised that in the opposite direction, this route gives you access to the pubs, cafes and shops of Newhall Street, Bennetts Hill, New Street and Temple Street which might be very welcome....
David Sanderson
A n unexpectedly scenic route given the urban, industrial areas it traverses. I did this from Birmingham to Smethwick on a very hot day and was surprised to see not only the usual ducks, Canada geese and so forth but a cormorant and a heron. The route is accurately planned, straightforward, easy to follow and very pleasant to walk....
Dave4
Leaving Smethwick you cross the road by Galton Bridge Railway Station and then cross said bridge to cross Galton Valley. A short path brings you out by the traffic lights to cross Kenrick Way....
David Sanderson
It is an excellent, short, safe, straightforward route meeting all of the Slow Ways criteria. It is varied, scenic, safe and accurately plotted. A really good walk...
Dave4
Urzum added Wessme two, a new walk from West Bromwich to Smethwick
Walk this routeThere is a 40m region that has a very narrow kerbed sidewalk - 55cm in width - where using the road surface might be required for mobility vehicles....
Urzum
The route begins close to Galton Valley Pumping Station, now a heritage centre, though it is only open one Saturday per month so worth checking if you want to include a visit as part of your walk....
Alison Thompson
peperkoekdame added Smegre one, a new walk from Smethwick to Great Barr
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Oldsme one, a new walk from Oldbury (Sandwell) to Smethwick
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Rowsme one, a new walk from Rowley Regis to Smethwick
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Smebir one, a new walk from Smethwick to Birmingham
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Wessme one, a new walk from West Bromwich to Smethwick
Walk this route
Smethwick’s Slow Ways starting point
Grid ref
SP0200288710
Lat / Lon
52.49631° / -1.97193°
Easting / Northing
402,002E / 288,710N
what3words
Facilities
Users have reported that the following facilities can be found within 1km of Smethwick's meeting point
Public toilet
Wheelchair accessible toilet
Supermarket
Restaurant
Accommodation
Accommodation < £50
Campsite
Bothy
Free wifi
Mobility scooter hire
Off-road wheelchair hire
Disabled Parking
Train station
Bus stop
Ferry
"Walkers are Welcome" town
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